Category Archives: Dining

Best Places to Eat in Honolulu

What are the best places to eat in Honolulu?

Lucky you, Honolulu is such a fun food town with multiple ethnic influences melting into one tasty bowl. Here is a list of my favorite places to eat in Honolulu:

Traditional Japanese
Akasaka — Across from the convention center; great for lunch; They serve raw and cooked food. The broiled misoyaki butterfish and spicy tuna hand rolls are favorites; Review at http://www.yelp.com/biz/akasaka-honolulu . Make a reservation.

Modern Japanese
Doraku Sushi — Royal Hawaii Shopping Center (if there’s a wait, do NOT eat at the super overpriced place across the hall); Great for dinner with a group; Hip vibe with a creative menu; http://www.dorakusushi.com/ . Make a res.

Brunch/Lunch/Dinner
Mariposa — Neiman Marcus at Ala Moana Shopping Center; Ask to sit on the lanai; Killer ocean views; Also good for a nice lunch or dinner with a group; Website at http://www.neimanmarcushawaii.com/restaurant.aspx . Make a res.

Lunch
Siam Garden Cafe — It’s the best Thai food you’ll eat outside of Thailand. I almost cried when I thought they’d closed in August, but they were just cleaning the place; Great for lunch and groups; Kid friendly; Website at http://www.siamgardencafe.com/ . No need res.

There is also a dizzying variety of quick, inexpensive places to eat within walking distance of the Hawaii convention center located in the food court of the Ala Moana Shopping Center (Street level) –http://www.alamoanacenter.com/diningdirec.htm . I like the Korean and Japanese grills, but you’ll find it all there fast.

Whatever you decide,  you can always get take out and then eat it across the street at Ala Moana Beach Park while taking in sunset.

Dinner
Duc’s Bistro — Chinatown; great for a group, food is served family style; Lamb chops are not to be missed; French Vietnamese; http://www.ducsbistro.com/ducbistro/MENU.html . No need res, unless it’s a group of 6 or more.

Super fancy dinners to impress (or seal the deal, in order of my preference)
Halekulani La Mer — http://www.halekulani.com/dining/la_mer/
Alan Wong’s on King St — http://www.alanwongs.com/
Chef Mavro’s — http://www.chefmavro.com/
Michelle’s — http://www.yelp.com/biz/michels-at-the-colony-surf-honolulu
Happy eating!!!

What to do in Lahaina

Question: My brother is currently hanging out on Maui for a week vacation.  He’s on his own and I told him I would ask you for any recommendations of your favorite restaurants and activities.  Would you mind sharing any not-to-be-missed places/things for him to do/see in between his moments of relaxing on the beach? He doesn’t have a car. Thanks!

 

Maui’s bus service expanded recently to cover more of the island for $2 per leg

Getting Around

Maui finally offers a reasonable bus service (see schedule). It costs $2 each leg. If he plans a little, he can probably avoid renting a car, which can run up to $100 per day on Maui during peak season.

Sights/Activities

He can ride from Lahaina to Wailuku, where I recommend a walk into Iao Valley State Park. He should bring a hat, a light rain jacket and good walking shoes that can get muddy. If he’s up for a longer hike, there’s a lush trail that leads into the back of the valley. He can dip into a pool anywhere along the trail for probably the most refreshing swim he’ll ever take.

After the hike, stop for lunch at Saeng’s Thai. The hot pots, satay and green papaya salad can’t be beat. Lunch with a beer will cost about $20.

He can also ride from Lahaina Upcountry to Makawao, which is one of my most favorite small towns in all of Hawaii. It’s a Main street kind of layout, with many art galleries and unique shops to browse and a few good eateries. I personally like the cafe tucked behind Viewpoints Gallery. It used to be called Cafe O’Lei, not sure if it’s changed names. But they serve delicious locally grown fare for lunch at reasonable prices.

Dining

In Lahaina, my favorite chef is Mark Ellman. He runs two quality restuarants, one very casual and one a tad fancier. For dinner in Lahaina, Ellman’s Mala Ocean Tavern tops my list. He serves mostly local produce, and the flavors are amazing. Great for dinner, but your brother will need a reservation for one of the oceanside tables. He can also sit at the bar, which may be more comfortable if he’s traveling alone. An appetizer, entree and a drink will cost about $50.

For lunch in Lahaina, I like Ellman’s Penne Pasta Cafe. Mark owns it, too, and it shows in the quality. But it’s casual, affordable and delicious Italian fare. The daily special and beer will cost about $15.

There’s also a quality Thai restaurant, called Thai Chef, tucked into a strip mall near the Old Lahaina Shopping Center. They serve a fresh coconut vegetable soup and a green papaya salad that will make him hate Mainland Thai food. Soup, salad and a beer to wash it down will run about $25.

Where to Eat After Volcano Watching on Hawaii Island

You’re watching Kilauea volcano erupt in Kalapana near the new vent, Pu’u O’o. The sunset was glorious, and the evening lava show is spectacular. You’ve taken all the pictures you can, and you’ve oo’ed and aw’ed until your parched. Now your stomach starts to growl, and you realize it’s well after 8 PM. Where to go for dinner?

At 45-minutes away, Hilo is too far to make it in time for dinner (unless you’re willing to eat at Ken’s house of Pancakes again). The sidewalk there rolls up promptly at 9 PM. So Hilo is out. What else is there?

Pahoa is the answer. At 15 minutes away, you can make it in time for the last seating at any one of three good options.

  1. Ning’s Thai Cuisine
    –Ning’s is fresh and inexpensive. They use local produce in many of their dishes, including their summer rolls, which were packed with fresh basil and mint. No bar or alcohol service, but you can BYO. If you don’t have anything to drink in the car, there is a 7-11 down the street that offers a basic selection of beer and wine coolers. Ning’s is not fancy, but it’s deliciously inexpensive. We had a 3-course dinner for four after volcano watching and got out for about $50, including tip. On a Saturday night, they stayed open until 10 pm.
  2. Kaleo’s Bar & Grill
    –Kaleo’s is a relative newcomer in Pahoa town. They offer Pacific Rim and island fare as well as what you would expect from a bar and grill. Their list of appetizers includes blackened ahi sashmi and deep-fried mozzarella. Entree prices range from about $15-$35. They offer a full bar and wine menu, but they close promptly at 9 pm.
  3. Luquin’s Mexican Restaurant
    –Luquin’s has been around Pahoa for years, and it remains the best place in town for a cold beer, chips and salsa, which sounds divine after a few parched hours on hot lava blacktop. Their food is not what I would describe as authentic Mexican, but it’s good enough. Anyway, you can’t go too wrong with cheese, sauce, meat and tortillas. Dinner for four with two rounds of drinks and tip was $100. They serve food until 10 pm, but stay open later for drinks.

Service Details:

Ning’s Thai Cuisine

15-2955 Pahoa Rd
Pahoa, HI 96778
(808) 965-7611

Kaleo’s Bar & Grill

15-2969 Pahoa Village Rd
Pahoa, HI 96778
(808) 965-5634

Luquin’s Mexican Restaurant

Pahoa Rd (Across from Ning’s)
Pahoa, HI 96778
(808) 965-9990